In a season with more losses than highlights, Nichole Kibel gave Montezuma-Cortez High School soccer fans something to remember during a home game against Grand Junction Central on April 25.
With the game tied 2-2 and the second overtime period set to expire, Kibel collected a pass from Maddie Archuleta and dribbled toward the box before bodying off a defender and drilling a shot just under the cross bar into the back of the net.
As Central’s players and coaches protested the referee’s non-call on what they believed to be a foul, Kibel raced into the arms of a pack of excited teammates who, despite their tired legs, were eager to offer congratulatory hugs.
“It feels really good,” said Kibel. “I couldn’t have done it without Maddie’s through-ball. “It felt really good to score the final goal and get the game over with.”
“I just kept thinking, ‘shoot,’” said M-CHS head coach Sean Fitzgerald. “It was awesome. There is no better feeling than to win in overtime.”
The marathon game began well enough for the Lady Panthers, who opened the scoring midway through the first half when Emma Youngquist sent a long pass to Rylee Lindsley, who beat Central’s goalkeeper to put M-CHS ahead 1-0.
“Emma Youngquist sent a perfect ball through the back line of defense,” Lindsley said. I gave a touch and then hit.”
Central’s Kaitlyn Miholland scored before halftime to even the score at one, and Jaylynn Medina scored early in the second half to put the Warriors in front 2-1.
The Lady Panthers tied the game in the 63rd minute after a free kick by Kibel found the bottom right corner of the net. The free kick took place after a Central player was called for a handball just outside the box.
With just over 5 minutes left in regulation, M-CHS goalkeeper Elizabeth Loschert stopped a hard curving shot by Chloe Marston and in doing so, helped set the Lady Panthers up for their eventual win.
“This was our best game of the year,” said Lindsley after the contest. “The intensity was really high and everyone talked.”
With their record now at 4-9-0 on the season, M-CHS will return to the practice field before closing out its season with a home game against Durango on April 28 and a home match up against Telluride on April 30.
“We want to keep the energy high and hopefully, we can get two more (wins),” Fitzgerald said.